An announcement three months ago that the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program was on the budget-cutting chopping block sent shockwaves through several industries—many of which built campaigns around the blue star logo.

Multiple people and organizations have since stepped up to fight for the program. More than 1,000 companies and organizations signed a letter of support. Energy Star partners with glass manufacturing companies to improve energy efficiency in their operations. Its certifications for windows, doors and skylights are crucial for commercial buildings, ensuring products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reported earlier in August that before the current congressional recess, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its fiscal year 2026 spending bill, including a bipartisan directive that the EPA "maintain level funding of $32 million for the Energy Star program." Around the same time, a nearly unanimous vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a spending bill that earmarked $36 million for the program.

Per USGBC, "by including the provision in the bill text, the Senate version would place a clear and binding legal requirement on the administration to fund the program at that level." The Senate group also included directional report language, which isn't as binding as a bill, but still sends a strong statement, USGBC officials say.

USGBC is just one of many parties with a vested interest in the fate of the Energy Star program. USGBC leadership joined with Alliance to Save Energy to spearhead an industry letter in support of Energy Star, which was signed by more than 1,000 companies and organizations. Meanwhile, a motley group of industry-specific organizations has come together to champion Energy Star representation for different markets.

Grist reports that the National Association of Home Builders and organizations in the manufacturing, consumer goods and technologies, real estate and retail sectors have banded together to protect the Energy Star program.

The collective points out that many industries or localities have regulations for products and their performances based on Energy Star standards. The potential elimination of the program would create a vacuum, leaving those who have built their benchmarks around Energy Star with no viable alternative, the collective suggested.

As Congress returns to work in September, Energy Star's fate remains unclear. USGBC officials suggest that how the larger governing body votes to proceed with funding could leave Energy Star vulnerable. Source